tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276141514211871612017-11-01T06:20:46.499-05:00BOOK BEAT BABESYour Source For Tips,Trends, &amp; Secrets in Books, Publishing, &amp; Promo
As Reported by: Debra St.John, Christine Verstraete, Morgan Mandel, DL Larson, Terri Morris, &amp; Margot Justes - Along with Special Guest Appearances! Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-36056787269877795042017-03-04T11:48:00.001-06:002017-03-04T11:48:33.060-06:00It’s Tax Time – Do You Know Where Your Expenses Are?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It you’ve already downloaded and read the Schedule C (Form 1040) and related instructions then you know there are quite a few categories for your writing business expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp;You should also note that some of those expenses refer to you to additional forms and/or instructions, which means that not all expenses have the same tax treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Of particular note is the difference between an expense such as consumable supplies (generally used up or expended in a year) versus items that last more than a year.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a very important concept in the tax code because items that tend to have a long life generally must be depreciated over that expected life.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, items such as computer systems, furniture, etc., will typically be depreciated and the tax code has charts and classifications to help you figure out the useful life of these items.&nbsp; For more information, including the charts, see IRS Publication 946, How To Depreciate Property.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Where it becomes a little dicey is when you have an item that can last several years that has a very low cost, such as a stapler or inexpensive software.&nbsp;&nbsp;What you will need to do in these cases is develop a written policy stating that such items under a certain dollar amount (typically a very low dollar amount) can be expensed, but make sure you read the tax code carefully or consult with a professional to make sure you adhere to any exceptions and stated requirements.&nbsp; Remember that the tax code, at both the federal and state levels, is written based on laws passed by the legislatures at these respective government levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Typical consumable expenses that a writer might incur include paper, toner cartridges, pens, paper clips – you get the idea, don’t you?&nbsp;&nbsp;Typical items for depreciation include computers, furniture, vehicles (unless you take the standard mileage rate), printers&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">– </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">again you get the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is a mechanism for accelerating that depreciation into the current year or what is referred to as Section 179 but be careful because if you accelerate depreciation, say on an asset that is considered to have a life of five years, but then decide to stop your writing business after only three years, you then have to recoup the depreciation for the two-year difference.&nbsp; Additionally, any property accelerated under Section 179 must actually qualify as being on the list of eligible property so, again, read everything very carefully and when in doubt consult a professional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-51883127337579767432017-02-24T20:02:00.002-06:002017-02-24T20:04:07.942-06:00It’s Tax Time! Are You a Hobbyist or a Business?<div class="MsoNormal">When most of us strike out to be a successful writer we think of all things writing such as:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->Traditional vs. Indie publishing<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->Do we need an agent<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->How to engage readers<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->Finishing the Damn Book<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->…and more<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What we don’t typically thing about are the tax consequences of that journey to becoming a successful writer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the first things to determine, especially in the beginning, is whether you are conducting your writing as a hobbyist or a business.&nbsp; If you limit yourself to just writing and don’t incur any expenses and/or earn any money in your writing journey then the question is somewhat mute, although, if you are incurring expenses do keep a written record of them so that you can consider them later, potentially as startup costs.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">To be considered a business, you have to have – and be able to demonstrate – a serious intent to make a profit.&nbsp; This is detailed in the Form 1040 Schedule C and related instructions found at the two links below:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you don’t care whether or not you make any money with your writing but just happen to, along the way, receive money for your efforts then you fall into the category of being a hobbyist and the way you reflect your income and expenses is explained in IRS Publication 529:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p529.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p529.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But be careful!&nbsp; You can’t pretend to be a hobbyist just to avoid certain taxes such as the Self-Employment taxes and this is spelled at the following IRS link:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/is-your-hobby-a-for-profit-endeavor">https://www.irs.gov/uac/is-your-hobby-a-for-profit-endeavor</a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So, if you want to know if your writing journey is a business or a hobby, use the link above to see if you pass or fail the test of being a hobbyist, and definitely read the Schedule C and related instructions.<o:p></o:p></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-411871202467456392017-01-26T16:20:00.000-06:002017-01-26T16:20:25.846-06:00Grabbing Time To Write! by DL LarsonIn the last five years, my goals have shifted. I still write, I still pursue my writing career, and if I can scratch enough time together, I may even get a book published this year. But my life is busier than ever. Here are a few reasons why my goals have changed ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAn7E8g21CE/WIpvUK1NPAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ODMxZ1suH_EIJJXp62a0O81pGIo5uaiSgCLcB/s1600/photo%2B%252839%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAn7E8g21CE/WIpvUK1NPAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ODMxZ1suH_EIJJXp62a0O81pGIo5uaiSgCLcB/s320/photo%2B%252839%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My grandkids!!!<br />We're at an apple orchard in the above picture. We spent the day playing in a corn crib, on a bouncy trampoline, racing through a straw fort, and we enjoyed yummy apple donuts and cider. I came home exhausted, but had renewed energy to write the next day. Their energy depleted mine, or so I thought. Yet the next day I was eager to be at the computer to work on my WIP. I don't ever want to be remembered as the grandma who didn't have time for her grandkids. My goal to write on my day off is not set in stone anymore.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEKJaijbZaQ/WIpv37qBlTI/AAAAAAAAAgo/YpuXnDJTGhAwNZcPdVkRxbuBlyAOhhZtgCLcB/s1600/photo%2B%252841%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEKJaijbZaQ/WIpv37qBlTI/AAAAAAAAAgo/YpuXnDJTGhAwNZcPdVkRxbuBlyAOhhZtgCLcB/s320/photo%2B%252841%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Our entire family spent the day at Brookfield Zoo, after Christmas. Cold and beautiful. We had never visited the zoo in the winter. What an exhilarating experience. Our four little wild ones kept us moving and seeing more, more and still more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MaQz7pIDgw/WIpwkD0KIHI/AAAAAAAAAgw/fTsun_TvnmEE7JZbT_FJ29yBUPFEwcUbgCLcB/s1600/photo%2B%252842%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MaQz7pIDgw/WIpwkD0KIHI/AAAAAAAAAgw/fTsun_TvnmEE7JZbT_FJ29yBUPFEwcUbgCLcB/s320/photo%2B%252842%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These two pictures are of my older grandkids! They are tall, beautiful, young women now. They are extremely athletic and play sports year 'round. Sometimes more than one sport in a season. I've learned that bleachers feel pretty much the same whatever sport I'm watching. I try to make as many games as I can. And that's saying something when there are a couple games each week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ezdh6sI3teY/WIpxKnzFJUI/AAAAAAAAAg4/g52IDul5DKEwIFnmtM-P6ueBpdYwFJjlQCLcB/s1600/photo%2B%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ezdh6sI3teY/WIpxKnzFJUI/AAAAAAAAAg4/g52IDul5DKEwIFnmtM-P6ueBpdYwFJjlQCLcB/s320/photo%2B%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I always thought when I got older, I'd have more time to write. I'd have more time to market my books. I thought I would ... I thought I would ... but I've learned in the most beautiful way, that families tend to grow. Growth is a beautiful thing, a busy thing, an exhausting thing. And there is no such animal called <i>spare time</i>. I have no spare time. I actually never did. But I have learned over time, I must grab the time and make it my own if I want to write.<br /><br />So this is my extent of writing for today. I'm off to pick up my father and take him to a basketball game where my granddaughters are playing. We'll sit on bleachers and cheer on our team. I had hoped to get the last of my editing done today, but that didn't happen.<br /><br />I'm determined to grab a few hours to write tomorrow.<br /><br />Wish me luck!<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www. DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br /><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-76187342621560689542016-12-05T11:36:00.001-06:002016-12-05T11:41:37.736-06:00For Dog Lovers - Our Fur Babies is Now Available<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">If you like dogs, you'll most likely relate to my first non-fiction ebook, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTS3RVR">OUR FUR BABIES</a></span><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Available at Amazon, this book relates the experiences my husband and I have shared through adopting our beloved dogs. Complete with pictures, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTS3RVR">OUR FUR BABIES</a> introduces the reader to each dog my husband and I've loved through our married years, starting with Sadie, the first, next Missy, on to Morgan (from whom I got my pen name), then Rascal, and lastly, our present fur baby, Buster.</span></span><br /><div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3MALr-EcLw/WEWcFdzJzzI/AAAAAAAAJeI/gtgtjkX3-dUHgbF-nyPjy4Xx8yZ0wRb8wCLcB/s320/coverjoyandpain.jpg" width="276" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">The cover picture, from long ago, features our first fur baby, Sadie. We look much younger there, than later, as the book progresses.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">You may laugh or shed a tear or two reading this book, or perhaps you'll be inspired to adopt a dog of your own, if you haven't already done so.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">And, if you go for fiction, I also have a few other books, in which dogs play a prominent role. Check out<a href="http://a.co/iseszVg"> FOR THE LOVE OF DOG</a>, about an officer who takes drastic steps to keep his K9 companion.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">Another one you might like is the romance,<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Her-Handyman-Perfect-Match-Book-ebook/dp/B0097EVXBK"> HER HANDYMAN</a>, about how a crazy canine's antics bring a handyman and popular artist together in an unlikely way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">Morgan Mandel</span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-83251041357568642752016-11-11T10:53:00.000-06:002016-11-11T10:55:18.121-06:00Search Engines<div class="MsoNormal">As humans we tend to fall into the trap of whatever is easiest for us to do as well as what is most familiar, and that includes technology.&nbsp; But as with all traps, especially those that invoke complacency, there is a price to pay. In the case of search engines it could be skewed results that create certain biases or direct you towards sponsored stories and advertisements with information skewed towards enticing you to buy a certain product or to not believe someone or something is as bad as it really might be.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Writers need to take heed when using search engines, especially if they only use one and never vary the way they structure the search terms they use.&nbsp; Remember, many of the creators of these search engines and social media platforms have a profit motive.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, what is a writer to do?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, I found an interesting article from earlier this year that provides a list of alternative search engines to the more famous and mostly commonly used search engine, the name of which is now a verb in the English language.&nbsp; Nothing wrong with using that search engine but as with all things in life, knowledge is power and when you understand who the wizard behind the curtain really is then you can make more informed choices.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the link to the article:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://searchenginewatch.com/2016/02/25/say-goodbye-to-google-14-alternative-search-engines/">https://searchenginewatch.com/2016/02/25/say-goodbye-to-google-14-alternative-search-engines/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Try using the same search term in multiple search engines and compare the results.&nbsp; The results will most likely surprise you.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Additionally, check out this Wikipedia page for an informative look at the variety of search engines that have come and gone over the past two plus decades.&nbsp; Yes, decades.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_search_engine">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_search_engine</a><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-4188394659013112962016-10-07T08:00:00.000-05:002016-10-07T08:00:06.639-05:00e-Book Roundup & Revolution<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Some interesting developments in the world of e-Books:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">- Technavio research predicts that there will be approximately a 14% increase in e-book readership by 2020. &nbsp;In fact, their Global perspective report predicts the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Technavio’s market research analyst predicts that the global publishing market will surpass USD 357 billion over the predicted period.&nbsp;Much of the market’s growth is due to the surging popularity of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.technavio.com/report/global-digital-education-publishing-market-2015-2019"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">digital publishing</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">&nbsp;as it is relatively cost-effective for authors to get their books published and very convenient for the readers to read and carry around. Such advantages have propelled the adoption rate of&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.technavio.com/report/global-e-book-market-2015-2019"><strong><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #222222; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;">e-books</span></strong></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">, where the readers are increasingly contributing to the market’s revenue through monthly and annual subscriptions. With the increased penetration of the Internet, readers want to read&nbsp;<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">digital books</span></strong>&nbsp;more than printed books. Digital content is the future of&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.technavio.com/report/global-publishing-and-advertising-consumer-book-publishing-market"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">book publishing</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">&nbsp;with its explosion on devices like&nbsp;<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Kindle</span></strong>,&nbsp;<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Reader</span></strong>, and iPhone, resulting in the overall growth of the market in the coming years.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For more information on this 98-page report go to</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Some interesting developments in the world of e-Book readers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For more information on this 98-page report go to:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.technavio.com/find-reports-advanced?f%5b%5d=field_report_industry:272"><span style="background: white;">http://www.technavio.com/find-reports-advanced?f[]=field_report_industry:272</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s more info on Publishers Weekly’s take on the e-book revolution:<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/71562-the-indie-e-books-evolution.html">http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/71562-the-indie-e-books-evolution.html</a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><!--[endif]-->Kensington’s Lyrical Press is adding two new categories for digital first submissions – Caress (Contemporary Romance) and Liaison (Romantic Suspense):<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/71669-kensington-unveils-two-new-digital-first-imprints.html">http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/71669-kensington-unveils-two-new-digital-first-imprints.html</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For more information on Kensington’s Lyrical Press submissions in general use this link:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/LyricalSubmissions">http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/LyricalSubmissions</a><o:p></o:p></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-56013123633008226612016-09-29T22:32:00.000-05:002016-09-29T22:32:03.729-05:00Looking forward to Oswego Literary Festival! by DL Larson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Looking for something to do this Saturday? Stop by the Oswego Public Library.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 32 West Jefferson Street, Oswego, IL 60543<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Their annual Literary Festival takes place rain or shine, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="Oswego Lit Fest" src="https://www.oswego.lib.il.us/adults/OswegoLiteraryFesthomepage-.jpg" /><br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Local authors will be in attendance. Bring your checkbook, your credit card or cash!<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Support your local author by writing a review on Amazon.com<br /><br /><br />Hope to see you there!<br /><br />DL Larson<br /><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br />twitter: @DL_storyteller<br /><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-54132158222308921242016-09-23T14:07:00.000-05:002016-09-23T14:07:34.029-05:00Wow<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I know it's been awhile since I've posted and to say life has gotten in the way would be an understatement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Settling the estate of a friend with properties in two countries on top of work and my own writing has been keeping me very, very busy, with little time to spare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I also recently traveled thousands of miles to show my daughter where I grew up and went to school. &nbsp;I hadn't been "home" in decades. Most of my family is either deceased or has moved to other states, and that happened some time ago, so going to my childhood home with my daughter didn't have the same urgency while she was growing up. &nbsp;This trip was the result of hitting a critical birthday year and I just needed to walk down memory lane to understand certain demons that I only subconsciously admitted that I had taken with me when I left, and there is definitely a story brewing in my head about what all that means.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This trip put many things in perspective for me and one of those things is my writing. &nbsp;I haven't published in a while but I have been writing and developing a game plan for publishing what I've been working on all these years. &nbsp;I'm actually rather excited about the prospects.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I'm also keeping notes about the process I'm going through in my upcoming publishing pursuits and I've realized a few things as a result to include that there are many aspects if writing and publishing that haven't changed even though the paths to publishing, especially with the influence of technology, have changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some of the aspects of writing and publishing that don't seem to have changed much include:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- write what you know and love<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- writing is hard work<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- some writers will find great financial success but most do not<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- writing is often as much a business as anything else<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- being discovered is still a challenge<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">- networking is still critical<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The difficulty of being discovered as a new writer given all the social media available is somewhat surprising on the surface but then when millions and millions of posts flood the internet it's like trying to stand out like a drop of water in the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As a parting note I thought I'd share the article below:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/71500-print-digital-and-what-really-matters.html">http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/71500-print-digital-and-what-really-matters.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-12649395578952021362016-07-07T19:22:00.000-05:002016-07-07T19:22:48.996-05:00Follow-up on my Tweeting Experience! by DL LarsonIn my last blog I shared my attempts at tweeting for the first time. I posted five tweets, then later added one more:&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 20.05pt;">One reporter. One warrior priest. One werewolf. And one thief. A deadly dragon, a missing baby and Savagers eat their prey.</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 20.05pt;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; line-height: 20.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I received 2 hearts, meaning two publishers were interested enough to ask for a query. I received three other hearts in my other pitches. Overall, I was delighted to have gotten some attention.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 26.7333px;">Now, the work begins.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;">I researched the various publishing houses. They all seemed&nbsp;legitimate and I felt my book could possibly fit within their interests. Most want the basic query and bio sent to them. A few want a synopsis and the first ten pages, others prefer the entire manuscript.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;">I will continue to research these publishing houses, and I will most likely send out a few queries. In the meantime, I have sent a query to a literary agent I have researched. I remarked that during the pitch fest, I drew interest from several publishers. I didn't name names, but I conveyed I have gained attention on my first pitch madness experience.</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 26.7333px;">Where will this get me?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;">I have no idea! But I'm learning as I go. Keeping up with social media is a full time job, and I wonder how writers find the time to write when so much is demanded of them elsewhere. Another thing that makes me smile ... I have a few followers on Twitter! They obviously know how twitter works better than I do. I believe it's another venue to gain followers on their site. It's a numbers game and I'm sadly behind, but at least I'm in the game.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;">'Til next time ~</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;">DL Larson</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/DL_storyteller">DL_storyteller</a></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa;"><span style="line-height: 26.7333px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial; line-height: 20.05pt;"><br /></span><div style="background: #F5F8FA; border-bottom: none; border-left: solid #E1E8ED 1.0pt; border-right: solid #E1E8ED 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #E1E8ED .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #E1E8ED .75pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"> <div class="tweettextsizetweettextsize--16pxjs-tweet-texttweet-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; line-height: 20.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #292f33; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><span style="clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px); overflow: hidden;"><span aria-hidden="true" data-tweet-stat-count="0" style="display: inline-block;"></span></span>Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-35391207278758106232016-06-24T19:04:00.000-05:002016-06-24T19:05:39.199-05:00The MySpace Hack and Why You Should Care<div class="MsoNormal">If you haven’t heard yet, account information that was hacked from MySpace was recently put up for sale.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know, you thought MySpace was dead, or you’re too young to remember just how big it was.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well it isn’t dead and even if it was, the hack provided a plethora of login information.&nbsp; Yes, that information was in many cases very old but that doesn’t mean it isn’t useful to the criminals who have obtained it.&nbsp; This, as well as every hack, reveals just how vulnerable we all are online.&nbsp; In the early days of the World Wide Web, security wasn’t in the forefront of most people’s minds.&nbsp; Now, you can’t avoid it whether at work, home or at play.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, why does this hack matter?&nbsp; Well, many of us probably forgot that we even had these accounts let alone the login information we established at the site, and there may be other such accounts lurking out there that we haven’t accessed in some time.&nbsp; Thing is, in our zeal to embrace the World Wide Web we probably have information posted at these sites, in addition to login credentials, that reveals enough about us to make us vulnerable to social engineering efforts.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Conversely, the login information may very well be the same as the credentials we setup at other sites that contain even more sensitive and valuable information, at least this is what the hackers are banking on, figuratively and literally.&nbsp; People tend to use the same login credentials across accounts and this is an Achilles heel for all of us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Over the years, we’ve been encouraged to create stronger and more unique passwords.&nbsp; At work you’re most likely required to do so.&nbsp; In fact, more and more commercial sites are requiring the same thing as well as requiring that you change your password frequently, at least more frequently than most of us like.&nbsp; I do find some of the security questions interesting since many of the suggested ones are things that hackers find by way of social engineering to include mother’s maiden name, street where you lived, etc., which is why the forgotten sites that you may have used the same login credentials as MySpace can be lucrative for hackers and identify thieves.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, if you’re a creature of habit and have used basically the same login credentials at multiple sites for years, you may want to consider changing your password at sites where you’re registered, especially those with access to financial, medical and other personal information.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For more info on the MySpace data up for sale and how to set a more secure password the following links will help:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/myspace-hack-puts-another-427-million-passwords-up-for-sale/">http://www.zdnet.com/article/myspace-hack-puts-another-427-million-passwords-up-for-sale/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/05/31/myspace-hack-millions-of-passwords-and-email-addresses-up-for-sa/">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/05/31/myspace-hack-millions-of-passwords-and-email-addresses-up-for-sa/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368484,00.asp">http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368484,00.asp</a></span>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-16934094614682960622016-06-23T17:58:00.001-05:002016-06-23T17:58:30.896-05:00Tweeting for the First Time! by DL LarsonI've enrolled in a class for writers. I want to learn more about tweeting and twitter. Today I'm supposed to tweet 10 pitches. <i>Up to 10</i> pitches of my sci-fi romance. I feel as if tweeting is something kin to playing scrabble. I have 140 characters to explain my book. In that 140 characters, I must include #SFFPIt - the hashtag regarding the pitching that is going on today in the sci-fi genre. In that 140 characters, I must include what type of Sci-fi, so I included SFR. That stands for Science fiction romance. That takes 12 characters out of my 140 character limit.<br /><br />I angst over these pitches. I have a two-part book. Do I pitch the first part that leads into the second part? Or do I jump over the first part and attack the second part? I need a hook, a hero, a stake, and an inciting incident.<br />OR ...<br />I could have a hero, conflict, desire.<br />Or ...<br />I could have a hero, setup and a twist. You get the idea. The possibilities are numerous. But what is the best way to form the pieces together to entice an agent to want to see more? Only the writer can determine that. And that brings me right back to the angst part of my day.<br /><br />Last night our small community was hit with three tornadoes. Everyone is fine. Our home still stands, a machine shed was damaged and we have fields of damaged crops and standing water. We have been without electricity for 24 hours. We cleaned debris and tree limbs out of my daughter's yard. It took hours and hours and hours. And all the while I'm dragging branches and raking sticks and leaves, I'm trying to conjure up the perfect tweets for my book.<br /><br />I've only tweeted one so far today - because the electricity just came back on! I don't believe I have anything fantastic to offer. But for my first time at tweeting a pitch, I'm happy to have tried.<br /><br />Here they are:<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">#SFFPIt Wolf works nights. Ancestral spirits help him kill a dragon. The Lord heard his plea. If only insanity could be cured so easily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">This is within the 140 characters, but I didn't mention it was a romance. A&nbsp;colleague was confused by the Lord part. So I continued on with a different approach. He suggested I introduce Part 1 rather than part 2 (the above one is about part 2.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">#SFFPIt #SFR Wade, a priest &amp; killer, loves Rock 'n Roll. A snoopy reporter tip-toes into his life. How can he fall for a human? Part 1-2<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">This one explains the beginning of my story, and hopefully the oddity of being a priest and a killer, and intrigued by a human.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">#SFFPIt #SFR Wade protects his werewolf prince. They are considered aliens on Earth. No one knows they exist, except the enticing reporter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Does this one show a bit of intrigue? I don't know. I'm still not happy with my pitch. But does it say enough to want to read another pitch?&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">#SFFPIt #SFR Wade forgets he loves the human, Tracy. She fears the werewolf will kill Wade because he's wounded from the dragon slaying.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">When a book has many layers, it's unclear to me which avenue will bring the most interest. But in this order, the pitches begin to form a story. Enough to attract an agent? I have no answer to that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">#SFFPIt #SFR Wade knows the wolf better than anyone. Priestly chanters protect Wade even though they can't stop Wolf from attacking him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">This will be my last pitch because I've run out of time. Maybe it will be enough to draw some interest. Either way, I've learned a great deal about twitter and tweeting. And I've learned pitching is intense and confining at the same time. Maybe that's the true purpose. How well can a writer tell her story?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">'Til next time ~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">DL Larson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">visit me on twitter: DL_storyteller</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-81135050373626307822016-06-10T18:31:00.000-05:002016-06-10T18:31:36.127-05:00Hacks for Writers<div class="MsoNormal">It’s interesting to think of hacks for writers since the words hack and writer have traditionally meant something rather unpleasant.&nbsp; In fact, being called a hack in any profession has traditionally meant that the person in question was lacking.&nbsp; So, it’s ironic that hacks have become so popular.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hacks tend to cut corners so many of the hacks, or tips, basically seem to provide a shortened method of doing something or reaching a goal.&nbsp; This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but sometimes when I read some of the hacks for whatever area is being discussed, I’m not always convinced that the shortcut is the best way to do things.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Most lists of hacks focus on 5-10 items but there is a website that lists 1000 hacks for a variety of categories.&nbsp; My first thought was that I need a hack to get through the long list but I must admit that some of the hacks listed are quite useful.&nbsp; It does help that they are organized by category, which in a way is a type of hack, and quite a useful one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, in the spirit of hacks as a way of helping writers doing something faster or to accomplish a goal here are a few hacks of that I use:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-Capitalize and/or change the font to bold for a particular word in your manuscript to make sure that it is being used appropriately.&nbsp; The word very comes to mind as one example.&nbsp; You will know <b>very</b> quickly if you overuse this word by changing the font to bold.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-Put markers in your work as you are writing or rewriting so that you don’t stop and take a side trip that takes you away from finishing the work in question.&nbsp; I often tag paragraphs with the words research or verify so that I can come back to it after I’ve written a scene or chapter and not get bogged down in details that while important are minor compared to finishing the writing in question.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-Keep a cut file for all those gems that you have to eliminate in the rewrite.&nbsp; You just might be able to use them in another work and if you change your mind later on and want to put it back in your work then you will know where to find it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-Keep your research notes in a separate file so that you don’t inadvertently violate copyright laws.&nbsp; Copy and paste can be both useful and detrimental depending on how they are used.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-Email a copy of your work to yourself periodically so that if you don’t remember to backup your computer, all is not lost.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">There – that’s five hacks.<o:p></o:p></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-77851032877502840602016-06-03T20:31:00.000-05:002016-06-03T20:31:50.119-05:00Five Things<div class="MsoNormal">1 - Crowdfunding for writers:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">We’re seeing more references to successful crowdfunding by writers such as the ‘Rebel Girls’ effort by the founders of Timbuktu Labs:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><a href="http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/70532-kids-book-for-rebel-girls-makes-crowdfunding-history.html">http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/70532-kids-book-for-rebel-girls-makes-crowdfunding-history.html</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">But before you go down the crowdfunding road take a moment to consider if it’s the right journey for you as outlined by Jane Friedman one of her recent blog postings:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><a href="https://janefriedman.com/crowdfunding-for-writers/">https://janefriedman.com/crowdfunding-for-writers/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">2 – An updated list of the top 30 websites for Indie Authors:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.amarketingexpert.com/top-30-websites-indie-authors/">http://www.amarketingexpert.com/top-30-websites-indie-authors/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">3 – An Indie success to admire:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><a href="http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/70447-warren-adler-self-publishing-pioneer.html">http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/70447-warren-adler-self-publishing-pioneer.html</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">4 – Something to think about:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><a href="https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/">https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">5 – Indie Book Reviews:</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><a href="http://indiebookreviewers.blogspot.com/">http://indiebookreviewers.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-50307066948044048932016-05-12T10:17:00.000-05:002016-05-12T10:17:04.150-05:00Roald Dahl, A Tribute To His Legacy! by DL Larson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8HOrrSoIKA/VzSKH68ZolI/AAAAAAAAAeU/nc0Kslr6h6InDBkPKWTs0Zrb3GvGe5tqgCLcB/s1600/mus_dahl1--JPG%2B%2528200x0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8HOrrSoIKA/VzSKH68ZolI/AAAAAAAAAeU/nc0Kslr6h6InDBkPKWTs0Zrb3GvGe5tqgCLcB/s320/mus_dahl1--JPG%2B%2528200x0%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is a picture of Roald Dahl, author. He is known for many children's books. You may recall<i> James and the Giant Peach,</i> (1961) <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory </i>,(1964) <i>The Fantastic Mr. Fox,</i> (1970) <i>The BFG,</i> (1982) <i>Giraffe and Pelly and Me,</i> (1985)<i> Matilda</i>, (1988) and <i>My Year,</i> (1993) published after his death. The list goes on and on, but these are many of the American favorites.<br /><br />He didn't begin his writing career until after his children were born. He wrote in the small hut (pictured) at the edge of his garden. And my favorite, since I too favor this technique ... he wrote in pencil on yellow paper.<br /><br />Roald Dahl was born in Wales, 1916. He was a fighter pilot in WWII. Much of the world will celebrate his 100th birthday this summer. Disney has <i>The BFG </i>coming out in July, directed by Stephen Spielberg. If you'd like to watch the trailer, google: Disney's The BFG. The official trailer will come up.<br /><br />I received a poster at my library as a promotion for the upcoming movie. We still have the book, <i>The BFG,</i> in our classic section. I brought it home to read. The story comes to life immediately with an orphan girl being abducted by a giant. From there the action keeps going. I'm not quite finished, but I do believe the Queen of England will take a significant part in the resolution of the story.<br /><br />This book is exactly what I've been looking for my upcoming summer reading program. This book will fit nicely with our theme "Challenge Yourself - READ." The story is full of action, misunderstanding and misconceptions, with a 'try at all cost' emphasis. Dahl subtly shows the reader how narrow-minded we <i>human beans</i> are.<br /><br />Dahl reminds me of Dr. Seuss with his whimsical made-up words. In <i>The BFG,</i> the giant taught himself how to read, and although his speech pattern is a bit roughysided, he's understandable! &nbsp;It's scrumdillyious. And a twister to the tongue at times. Dahl created or made up 238 words in <i>The BFG</i>. He called it gobblefunk.<br /><br />Many of Dahl's books have become movies. He wrote the screenplay for <i>Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,</i>&nbsp;as well as <i>You Only Live Twice. </i>He wrote adult fiction, specializing in short stories for magazines. His work could be found in <i>Ladies Home Journal</i>, <i>The New Yorker,</i>&nbsp;<i>Playboy</i>, and many others.<br /><i><br /></i>Another thing I admire about Roald Dahl: Writing and English were not his best subjects in school. Oh, how I love hearing that about other authors. My English teachers in high school and college repeatedly told me I was too chatty with the readers. I believe I was blogging and didn't know it! Another told me it felt too much like a movie in her head. One of Roald's grammar school teachers wrote on his report card: "I have never met anybody who so persistently writes words meaning the exact opposite of what is intended." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(taken from mentalfloss article/527-17/11) &nbsp;</span>Such is the life of a writer who prefers imagination over perfection.<br /><br />Roald began writing at a request from another writer, C.S. Forester, who was looking for a story about a soldier who had been on the front lines during the war. Dahl agreed to write something and ended up writing an article he called, "A Piece of Cake." He was paid $1,000. The title was changed, but not much else. The article came out as, "Shot Down Over Libya."<br /><br />Have you read any of Roald Dahl books? If so, what is your favorite? Have you seen any of the movies?<br />Do you remember any of his jumbly words?<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epqUTuutdAw/VzSYxmJe4VI/AAAAAAAAAeo/whw7OL95HkspmxOPDuL9Q8t8W6plVvHtgCLcB/s1600/The-BFG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epqUTuutdAw/VzSYxmJe4VI/AAAAAAAAAeo/whw7OL95HkspmxOPDuL9Q8t8W6plVvHtgCLcB/s320/The-BFG.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<br /><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-8258091815071574122016-04-28T17:32:00.000-05:002016-04-28T17:32:04.165-05:00Authors, Remember The Logistics of Pet OwnershipThe hubby and I are planning the logistics of our next trip to the cottage in Wisconsin. Much has happened since the last time we &nbsp;vacationed. The saddest of all was the deterioration of our Amstaff, Rascal, whom we'd loved for almost eleven years, and who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in November.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t16IMh4ybW4/VyKM5O00fsI/AAAAAAAAJSc/ShtrOwhXX9c6DNArhWw5bqlmSVpzlukWQCLcB/s1600/2016-04-18%2B13.28.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t16IMh4ybW4/VyKM5O00fsI/AAAAAAAAJSc/ShtrOwhXX9c6DNArhWw5bqlmSVpzlukWQCLcB/s320/2016-04-18%2B13.28.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Happiest, was the addition of our Miniature Pinscher, Buster,whom we adopted shortly thereafter to take our minds off our loss, and to provide a home for an animal in need.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rascal was getting up in years and had been with us since a puppy. She knew what was accepted and what wasn't. Two-and-a-half year old Buster, on the other hand, still needs training, although I must say, he does very well in obedience classes.Also, he's very adept at giving us kisses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, we're figuring out our strategies ahead of time to keep our little animal safe, so we can all have a good time. When we're away from the cottage, we may need to put him in one of the bedrooms and close the door. That sounds like a possible solution, but, there are other matters to consider, such as blocking off any targets of exploration in that room, such as under the bed, where objects are stored. Then there's the dresser, above which is the TV, and underneath runs the cable and electric wires. We'll set up barriers and see if that will work. Otherwise, we may need to resort to placing him in a crate when we're gone.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, we'll also need to keep him company and make him feel at home in the new environment, along with addressing his physical needs, such as walks, food and water.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why am I mentioning this on a book blog? When writing fiction, it's important to make fiction seem authentic and believable. I enjoy reading books where dogs are included, and I also like watching movies where a pet plays a small or large role. However, often it seems a dog is added merely for decorative or emotional purposes, and the logistics of dog ownership are absent.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Matters such as where a pet is allowed to stay in the home and the reasons are not always revealed to the reader. What's even more irksome is when a book character gets up, and no mention is made about seeing to the animal's needs. Let the poor dog out, please, and give it some food and water!</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Instead, the book character leaves and goes about life trying to solve a mystery, or falling in love. Then, later, when the character deigns to come home, whatever time that may be, the animal sometimes is greeted, other times ignored, along with its needs.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you decide to add a dog or other pet in your book, remember that I and other pet owners are not happy if an imaginary animal is treated poorly. I beg you, when including a dog or other pet in your book, remember the logistics of pet ownership.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fph4pmeIfQw/VyKNZ3QqdSI/AAAAAAAAJSg/r9mLqhmtt9U2FSqi-lHlrFzw9tNxo5yywCLcB/s1600/mandrphoto%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fph4pmeIfQw/VyKNZ3QqdSI/AAAAAAAAJSg/r9mLqhmtt9U2FSqi-lHlrFzw9tNxo5yywCLcB/s200/mandrphoto%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R.I.P. Rascal - Here she is in her younger<br />&nbsp;years&nbsp;in the backyard&nbsp;with Morgan Mandel.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Find all of Morgan Mandel's books at</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel">http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, find excerpts and descriptions at: <a href="http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/">http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com</a></div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel">http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel</a></div><div>Twitter: @Morgan Mandel</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-2604495297465260032016-04-21T17:16:00.000-05:002016-04-21T17:16:22.473-05:00Remembering Long Ago Days & Raspberry Beret! by DL LarsonToday, we said 'good-bye' to a musical genius, Prince Roger Nelson. I remember him as Prince. "Mom! It's Prince, turn up the radio." And <i>Raspberry Beret </i>would blast through the speakers as we drove down the road. It was 1985 and my daughters loved Prince, or later, the musician, <i>Formerly Known as Prince. </i>It wasn't until 2000 that Prince got his name back. The dispute over his name escapes me now, but it was a BIG deal back in the '90s. Something about copyrights and money!<br /><br />I always worried my girls would all too easily understand the meaning behind that song. I suppose they did eventually. But the song drew vivid imaginings in my mind, I'm sure it did many young women. A young man and woman in an empty barn ... and a raspberry beret!<br /><br /><i>Purple Rain</i>, was the other big hit, I remember. It hit the charts in 1984. Saying good-bye and moving on was the theme to that song and I'm pretty sure I knew that one by heart, too. Please don't tell my daughters!<br />I always pretended not to like him too much.<br /><br />Prince won seven Grammy Awards and had thirty nominations. Five of his singles topped the charts and fourteen others hit the Top 10. Prince is an Oscar Winner for best original song for <i>Purple Rain</i>.<br /><br />We had an upsurge of Prince in the early 2000's when my granddaughters discovered <i>Raspberry Beret</i>. I'm sure their mother had a lot to do with that. It felt as if I'd gone back in time when I heard from the back seat, "Grammie, put in the cd with Purple Rain." &nbsp;And then, "Let's listen to it again!" A new generation with just as much enthusiasm for this musical icon had modern technology to feed their impulses. On any given outing, I heard Purple Rain some dozen times. Okay, maybe not that many, but it was a lot!<br /><br />When a performer stretches beyond the generations, one knows they are listening to perfection. Prince had so many wonderful songs, always with a story. They were sexy, devout or fun. Sometimes all three in one song. He was a legend. He was a hero in our house. And he will be missed.<br /><br />Heaven is singing tonight! It's bound to be a fabulous time. I imagine there will be a lot of purple!<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-74297089621287787132016-04-06T09:15:00.001-05:002016-04-06T09:15:58.011-05:00New Mystery WebsiteI got inspired by a 50% off deal from Wix.com. I already had one website from them, which is <a href="http://morgandoeschicklit.com/">Morgan Does Chick Lit.Com</a>, and decided it was time to devote a separate website to my dark side, the one that compels me to write mysteries<br /><br />So, yesterday, <a href="http://morgandoesmystery.com/">Morgan Does Mystery.Com</a> was officially born. Nothing too fancy, just enough to get the word out about my mysteries without boring readers. Also, I happened to like the template background, which seemed kind of mysterious to me.<br /><br />If you get a chance, I invite you to check out my official mystery website. If you haven't popped over yet to my romance/chick lit one, by all means you're welcome there as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2RuToabHmQ/VwUZYiOWZYI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/ZJJ20R9LXAAuGazR48x47jZsYINV80wyQ/s1600/again1181602831_ShcgR-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2RuToabHmQ/VwUZYiOWZYI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/ZJJ20R9LXAAuGazR48x47jZsYINV80wyQ/s320/again1181602831_ShcgR-XL.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://morgandoesmystery.com/">http://morgandoesmystery.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel">http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-54123606734343278042016-04-01T14:19:00.000-05:002016-04-01T15:39:11.241-05:00A Writer's Digital Legacy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="&#45;-"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">There have been a number of stories in the news about parents of soldiers who’ve been killed in the recent wars wanting access to their child’s email accounts and not being able to obtain it due to privacy laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As a result there is also an increased awareness of planning for what happens to your digital assets after you pass away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>More and more financial advisors and estate planners are recommending that all of us identify our digital assets in our estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>With online bill paying and paperless communications this is a real concern for those left behind to deal with our estate and in some cases clean up our messes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For writers it’s especially important to address their digital assets because some of these may have monetary value to the estate, not the least of which is the domain name for the writer’s website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Questions such as renewing the domain name registration, maintaining the website and by whom both of these tasks are done need to be identified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s becoming clearer and clearer that most writers don’t have a plan of action for these tasks.&nbsp; Keep in mind that there are laws at both the federal and state levels that need to be considered which is why it's best to work with an experienced legal expert on digital estate issues.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the past few years several of my writer acquaintances have passed away, some suddenly, some as a result of a long illness and it’s a very haunting experience to receive a spam email from one of their email addresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Obviously, they aren’t sending the emails but it does bring to mind the need to make sure that somebody is identified to either maintain the writer’s digital presence or to gently shut it down.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For more guidance on planning for the digital portion of your estate the following links are suggested:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/ftr03103.shtml">http://apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/ftr03103.shtml</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2014/05/18/protect-your-digital-assets-after-your-death.html">http://www.cnbc.com/2014/05/18/protect-your-digital-assets-after-your-death.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2015/06/10/forgetting-digital-assets-like-facebook-can-create-lawsuits-after-your-death/#5a2927da79d3">http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2015/06/10/forgetting-digital-assets-like-facebook-can-create-lawsuits-after-your-death/#5a2927da79d3</a></div>Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-59163646727692873562016-03-24T21:25:00.000-05:002016-03-24T21:25:00.891-05:00Searching for Integrity! by DL Larson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfQCA2MpF_8/VvRqT26q9kI/AAAAAAAAAeA/7yRytPBM3oIa1XRFyZH8QyNxE0T_eCvBg/s1600/Easter%2B2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfQCA2MpF_8/VvRqT26q9kI/AAAAAAAAAeA/7yRytPBM3oIa1XRFyZH8QyNxE0T_eCvBg/s320/Easter%2B2016.JPG" width="181" /></a></div>This picture was taken last week. My grandchildren and I had a good time painting Easter eggs. We look pretty carefree, yet I've been worrying quite a bit lately ... what does the future hold for our young ones? In the last six months there have been over sixty terrorists attacks around the world.<br /><br />I know this blog is supposed to be non-political and non-religious. But I can't help wondering if all these polite rules have been a hindrance to us as a nation. <i>'Don't talk politics or religion in polite company.' </i>&nbsp;I grew up hearing this rule over and over. I tried to adhere to it most of my life, and I wonder if I should have stood up long before now to say, <i>'where has that attitude gotten us?'</i><br /><i><br /></i>As a writer, I want to express my frustrations, yet there seems to be so many problems facing us as a nation, I'm ashamed I haven't spoken out sooner. I speak as a wife, mother and grandmother, neither Republican nor Democrat. I'm not a very political person, but I want my country strong so my grandchildren will inherit a great country, not one that has slid into despair and desolation.<br /><br />I want my politicians to have integrity. That's right. It really boils down to that. Where has the integrity of the government gone? I realize a public entity may not hold personal values, but the people who are in charge sure should. It's one of the main ingredients that made this nation great. It's all but disappeared and we, the people, let it slip away because we've all been so blessedly polite. Or maybe we weren't paying attention when we should have been keeping a closer eye on our government and its actions.<br /><br />I want my government to take action in protecting our borders. I want an easier avenue to citizenship for those who are here illegally and want to stay. I relate this to some young man or woman stepping out of the closet and admitting to the world they are homosexual. The world didn't end with their confession. Their life changed, and I pray, for the better. No more secrets. Illegal immigrants need a path to become a working, thriving part of our nation.<br /><br />I want our soldiers to receive the benefits they need and deserve. The fact that our congressmen and senators have lifelong benefits and our soldiers don't, irks me. This is wrong. We hear VA hospitals are helping out more and improving. I personally know they have not in my area. Let us not grow lazy in believing the propaganda that is being delivered to us by the very folks that allowed it to happen in the first place.<br /><br />I want a safer world, free of tyranny and terrorists. I know I'm asking for the moon, but if integrity were instilled to all at a young age, maybe our world would not be littered with this disease of &nbsp;'<i>my way or no way.' &nbsp;</i>Perhaps we would learn to tolerate our differences. Perhaps we could be happy with our own chunk of the world and not believe we are entitled to take more without asking.<br /><br />Book Beat Babes is a group of writers with followers who are mainly writers. So I challenge you, start writing to your Congressmen, your Representatives and Senators. Make your values known. Be attentive to the world around you. Speak up. It's time ~ way past time ~ we start using our talents to let our thoughts be known in a public way.<br /><br />Below is an web address to the Federal Representatives. It lists all by state.<br /><a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/">http://www.house.gov/representatives/</a><br />Here is a site for Senators:<br /><a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/">http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/</a><br /><br />Speaking up is scary. But as writers, we have the tools to start a conversation that could bring about change. I want a secure future for my grand kids. I don't want them growing up with threats of terrorism, bombs in public places, or afraid to play in their backyard for fear of what might happen if a car drives by. Stray bullets and angry mobs will not fix our problems. Integrity, even in small doses, feeds the conscious to act more civilly. It's a small, but significant step toward a brighter future.<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<br /><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-67396532055450586332016-03-10T15:20:00.000-06:002016-03-10T15:20:53.484-06:00Beware of Rip-Off Agencies! by DL LarsonI've been searching for possible agents and publishers lately. I've come across at least a dozen who are closed to submissions. Sigh ... it's frustrating yes, to finally find a possible agency that might fit my type of writing, only to find the door closed before I've had a chance to inquire.<br /><br />I also found a few disturbing remarks. Yes, most don't bother returning a 'no thank you, not interested' note. I came to terms with that long ago. Others want only inquiries that have been sent solely to them and no one else. They state they will respond within four to six months. Really? Still? In this day and age. I don't know anyone who actually believes this anymore. I used to play by the rules and wait and wait ... and wait, only to realize it was time to move on.<br /><br />The one that bothered me the most was on the Alloy Entertainment site. They sound reasonable and interested in hearing from all types of writers. That's wonderful, but this is from their Submission Guidelines:<br /><br /><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #323232; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;"><strong>Submission Guidelines:</strong>&nbsp;We are evaluating full fiction manuscripts only—please, no scripts or fan-fiction. Please send us a query e-mail that contains a brief overview of the premise of your book and a short description of your writing background. In addition, please include the first three chapters of your manuscript in a Word document, as well as a link to your book or Goodreads page if you’ve already self-published the book. And, agents, feel free to get in touch for your clients! We cannot accept submissions from legal minors. Please note that Alloy is constantly developing new titles. In light of the numerous submissions Alloy receives and Alloy’s own in-house development, </span><b>Alloy may already have (or may in the future) independently develop a project based upon an idea or theme that is identical or similar to your material, and you acknowledge that you will have no interest or claim therein.</b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">It's the last sentence I have an issue with. It sounds dangerously close to stealing. They may not like your work, but they like your theme, your plot, your characters. Where does that leave you, the writer, if they steal your work?&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Does anyone have a comment to share about this? I'd be very interested in hearing from other writers.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">'Til next time ~</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">DL Larson</span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a></div><div><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-81257582837386733982016-02-25T21:47:00.001-06:002016-02-25T21:47:35.114-06:00Want to stay healthy? by DL LarsonI don't generally write about health topics, but I want to share what I've discovered this winter. It's simple. It doesn't taste bad. It's not expensive. And ... It's all natural! I imagine my grandmother would have known about this remedy, but it was new to me.<br /><br />It started in my sinuses. No infection, just nagging stuffiness, congestion and the like. I didn't have a cold either. I rarely catch cold or the flu. But I coughed when I laughed or tried to carry on a conversation. It was irritating at first and then became a real nuisance. I appreciate the patience my co-workers showed with my persistent cough.<br /><br />I tried many remedies, none that worked. Then one day I saw an article about the wonders of honey and cinnamon. The combination of these two ingredients can and does solve many ailments. It cured my nagging cough. I made my husband take it as well for his asthma cough. It worked for that, too. The recipe called for 1 tablespoon of honey (raw is best) and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir the two together, heat in the microwave for a few seconds and spoon it into your mouth like cough syrup. Do this for three - five days. Best taken on an empty stomach.<br /><br />It worked! My cough is gone. And the better thing, my husband's asthma cough has disappeared. And let me tell you, that has been around for way toooo long!<br /><br />Honey and cinnamon have other benefits too. They are known to help with arthritis - 2 Tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon added to a cup of hot water. Best taken before breakfast. Taken daily, this helps relieve pain. Since I have RA, I've tried this, and it's pretty fantastic. The weather still affects me though, so it's not a cure all. But I didn't expect it to be. But help is help. Less pain is always a plus for me!<br /><br />For cholesterol control, use 2 Tablespoons of honey and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon with 16 ounces of tea or water. It reduces cholesterol levels within hours. This can be taken up to three times a day to keep cholesterol manageable. <br /><br />Upset stomach? Indigestion? Gas? Cinnamon and honey taken before eating, can relieve acidity and digests the heaviest of meals and relieves gas.<br /><br />A researcher in Spain proved that honey contains a natural ingredient that kills germs that cause the flu. Honey and cinnamon strengthens the white blood cells, which boosts the immune system. And the list goes on and on.<br /><br />If you're looking for a cure all, I don't have an answer to that, but if you want to boost your energy and feel healthier, try the honey and cinnamon remedy. Then you'll have the energy to write!<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br />Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-62424923808832617822016-02-19T16:22:00.002-06:002016-02-19T16:22:25.057-06:00Tech Buzzwords<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="&#45;-"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> So, just what is the "Cloud" and/or "Cloud Computing?"&nbsp; PC magazine has a great article posted from April 2015 about this:<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372163,00.asp">http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372163,00.asp</a><br /> <br /> <br />What's an app?<br /> <br /> Well, I really like the explanation of this from an article back in 2011 from Small Business Trends:<br /><br /> <a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/03/what-is-an-app.html">http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/03/what-is-an-app.html</a><br /><br /> but, if you want something more techie try this:<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/3">http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/3</a><br /> <br /> But the most straight forward definition of an app is, "a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device."<br /><br /> <br /> But the truly big tech buzzword these days is IoT or the Internet of Things.&nbsp; I bet you thought I was going to list Virtual Reality (VR) or Net Neutrality, although since IoT is basically "<span class="tgc">the network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity—that enables these objects to collect and exchange data," then VR and Net Neutrality are directly and indirectly a part of IoT.</span><br /><br /> <span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So, now that your refrigerator can send you messages when you're low on milk, your tech wearables can let you - and perhaps your doctor - know if you're having a medical crisis, and your mobile app alerts you to traffic accidents and bad weather, you are benefiting (or not) from the IoT. </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--><br /><br /><br />Terri Morrishttps://plus.google.com/104439998231263547066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-23816703774166732792016-01-27T16:49:00.001-06:002016-01-27T16:49:57.844-06:00Mark Your Calendars for Wed, Feb 3 Hi Gang,<br /><br />Just to let you know, my interview of popular romance book cover model, Jason Aaron Baca, is set for Wednesday, February 3 at The Blood-Red Pencil Blog at <a href="http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/">http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br />Jason is on over 400 romance book covers and is closing in on Fabio's record.<br /><br />I hope you can join me over there next Wednesday. Here's a teaser picture from one of his book covers:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwQVw8PiqME/VqlIhlgRjAI/AAAAAAAAJMY/NZF5wIpVDW0/s1600/1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwQVw8PiqME/VqlIhlgRjAI/AAAAAAAAJMY/NZF5wIpVDW0/s320/1b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />And there's lots more pictures you'll see next Wednesday over there!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_3ndnwXyVo/VqlI1D_RXFI/AAAAAAAAJMg/Vymgm-LPFc0/s1600/Facebookpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k_3ndnwXyVo/VqlI1D_RXFI/AAAAAAAAJMg/Vymgm-LPFc0/s1600/Facebookpic.jpg" /></a></div>Find all of Morgan Mandel's romances and mysteries at<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel">http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel</a><br /><br />Excerpts and links are also at:<br /><a href="http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/">http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com</a> <br /><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/author/morgan.mandel">http://www.facebook.com/author/morgan.mandel</a><br /><br />Twitter: @MorganMandel<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-70061433195902224842016-01-21T11:15:00.003-06:002016-01-21T11:15:52.360-06:00Adding Twists & Turns In Your Writing! by DL LarsonMy go-to book for writing has become Donald Maass's book, 'Writing 21st Century Fiction.' &nbsp;As many times as I read it, I always find new techniques to implement into my writing. Like adding twists and turns. I feel I add my share of twists and turns, but he encourages a writer to go beyond the expected and create something unexpected.<br /><br />Mr. Maass suggests to open your manuscript to any scene, then ask yourself, "what would blow the story sideways right now? Go for it."<br /><br />So I found a spot in my WIP that I thought was too much narrative and not enough action. I added the unexpected. BAM! It added flavor and a dash of ridiculousness to the scene. I loved it. My writers group at the time did not find it a reasonable change. Some said it mislead the readers at what that particular character was all about. I contemplated removing the addition. I changed my mind and kept it in. My unexpected twist opened up my story line and created a deeper layer of involvement than I had originally intended with that character. It gave that character a new purpose the reader had not been aware of previously. I hadn't realized this new twist would bring the character to life. What a pleasant surprise.<br /><br />Basically, I'm not telling you anything new. But this can serve as a reminder to not be too comfortable with your plot. Add the unexpected. Donald Maass suggests, "If the expected happens, change it. If nothing new is discovered, discover it and add it."<br /><br />That's great advice ~ for all of us!<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327614151421187161.post-58545805924737283852016-01-14T22:44:00.002-06:002016-01-14T22:44:48.754-06:00Good-bye to Alan Rickman! by DL Larson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo-E9H34ST8/VphwLeb4EfI/AAAAAAAAAds/UkTnrDTrmgI/s1600/20160115-Rickman-Obituary-slide-21GA-jumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo-E9H34ST8/VphwLeb4EfI/AAAAAAAAAds/UkTnrDTrmgI/s320/20160115-Rickman-Obituary-slide-21GA-jumbo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm sad this great actor has left us so soon. I first adored Alan Rickman when he played the Sheriff of Nottingham in <i>Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, </i>starring with Kevin Costner. <br /><br />He was genius in his portrayal of nasty characters. And funny. Even likable. He had a way of revealing just enough of his character's hidden emotions to draw the viewer in.<br /><br />And I have to mention his part as Hans Gruber,<br />in <i>Die Hard</i>, with Bruce Willis. A fabulous performance. He was a gifted criminal in front of the camera.<br /><br />Most of all, we remember Alan Rickman for his role as the Master of Potions, Professor Severus Snape, in the Harry Potter movies. What a wonderful, delightfully, frightening character. Having read all of the Harry Potter books, I know first hand what a magnificent job he did bringing Prof. Snape to life.<br /><br />Alan Rickman never received an Oscar for his performances, and he said something to the fact that, <i>'parts win prizes, not actors.'</i>&nbsp; How profound of him. I know as a writer, I would love to have someone of his caliber portray one of my characters. I imagine that is a dream of many writers ~ to have their work turned into a movie or play. Writers also strive for awards to show the world they are worthy, and folks should read more of their books. I don't believe I've ever come across a writer who would say, 'plots win prizes, not writers.' But then writers are a pretty insecure bunch. We dream of big characters, we rarely get to become one. Alan Rickman had the uncanny ability and opportunity to give a big character life. And we are all better for it.<br /><br />Rest in peace, Alan Rickman. You will be missed.<br /><br />'Til next time ~<br /><br />DL Larson<br /><a href="http://www.dllarson.com/">www.DLLARSON.com</a><br /><br />We at&nbsp;<i>Book Beat Babes</i>&nbsp;hope to get back in the swing of things and blog more regularly than we have these last several weeks. So please stop back soon.<br /><div><br /></div>Deb Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115066586448611470noreply@blogger.com0